Regular skipper Steven Gerrard and his vice-captain Frank Lampard will both miss Friday night's Wembley clash through injury, with the Manchester United man handed the armband after impressing on his return from a gashed leg.

Rooney was sent off in his last qualification appearance for England after lashing out at Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic but Hurst believes that the role of captain, and becoming a father for a second time, will have a positive effect on the player.